Using Sacred Art to Bring the Faith Alive

How to Use

Because sacred art is a proven way to infuse your classroom with beauty while encouraging fruitful discussions, we have included several images below, along with ways to bring the painting to life.

How to Use

Because sacred art is a proven way to infuse your classroom with beauty while encouraging fruitful discussions, we have included several images below, along with ways to bring the painting to life.

Art featured in Spirit of Truth: The Church and the Kingdom of God (3rd Grade)

The Lamb of God Stained-Glass Window

The Lamb of God Stained-Glass Window

We call Jesus the Lamb of God. Use this image to talk about what that means with your students.

Lamb of God & Seven Seals (stained glass window detail), Saint Aloysius Catholic Church, Shandon, Ohio.

The Resurrection of Christ and the Women at the Tomb

The Resurrection of Christ and the Women at the Tomb

Use this image as the focal point for meditating on the Resurrection.

c. 1440-1442, Bl Fra Angelico, Convento di San Marco, Florence.

The Good Samaritan

The Good Samaritan

Use this picture to capture the drama, action, and emotions of the Good Samaritan parable. 

c. 1670, Jan Wijnants, Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia.

The Good Samaritan

The Good Samaritan

Having a student-friendly image can make the parable of the Good Samaritan come alive.

c. after 1633, Rembrant, Wallace Collection, London.

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

Have a "conversation" with two works of art that help us understand living as Christians.

c. 1630, Rembrant, Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest.

The Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fish

The Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fish

When you are trying to explain how Jesus could feed 5000 with a single lunch, this single picture is worth 1000 words.

c. 16th century, Ambrosius Francken, Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, Belgium.

The Raising of the Widow’s Son

The Raising of the Widow’s Son

With this image you can talk about the miracle of Jesus raising the widow's son.

c. 17th century, Mario Minniti, Museo Regionale di Messina, Italy.

Mary of the People

Mary of the People

With this dramatic image, discussions of Mary as Intercessor flow quite naturally.

1579, Federico Barocci, The Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy.

The Second Mystery of Light

The Second Mystery of Light

The symbols in this stained glass image help discuss the Wedding at Cana as well as spark interest in other stained glass images.

2005, George Walsh, Stained glass window, Church of the Most Holy Rosary, Tullow, County Carlow, Ireland.

Moisés Recebendo as Tábuas da Lei

Moisés Recebendo as Tábuas da Lei

This image works well to talk about the the Ten Commandments, how we received them, and what they mean for us today.

1868, João Zeferino da Costa

Ancient of Days

Ancient of Days

Use this image to explore this title for God from the Book of Daniel, which is a sign of God's eternal perfection.

c. 1794, William Blake, British Museum, London.

Pentecost Mosaic

Pentecost Mosaic

Help your students understand what it means that Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles at Pentecost.

Dome of the Basilica of San Marco, Venice, Italy.